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Petra said, quietly, "He isn't glad to meet

you"

"Shut up, Arkanian," Madrid said "To one trial,add another But whatever obstacles our officers choose to fling in our path, we are still--"

"Salamander!" cried the soldiers, in one voice

Instinctively, Ender's perception of these events changed It was a pattern, a ritual Madrid was not trying to hurt hi it to strengthen his control of his army

"We are the fire that will consume them, belly and bowel, head and heart, many flames of us, but one fire"

"Salaain

"Even this one will not weaken us"

For a moment, Ender allowed himself to hope "I'll work hard and learn quickly," he said

"I didn't give you permission to speak," Madrid answered "I intend to trade you away as quickly as I can I'll probably have to give up so with you, but as small as you are you are worse than useless One more frozen, inevitably, in every battle, that's all you are, and we're now at a point where every frozen soldier in, but I' at someone else's expense"

"He's all heart," Petra said

Madrid stepped closer to the girl and slapped her across the face with the back of his hand It ernails had hit her But there were bright red marks, four of them, on her cheek, and little pricks of blood ernails had struck

"Here are your instructions, Wiggin I expect that it is the last time I'll need to speak to you You will stay out of the e're training in the battleroo to any toon and you will not take part in any maneuvers When we're called to battle, you will dress quickly and present yourself at the gate with everyone else But you will not pass through the gate until four full aate, with your weapons undrawn and unfired, until such tiame ends"

Ender nodded So he was to be a nothing He hoped the trade happened soon

He also noticed that Petra did not so h one spot of blood had beaded and run,a streak down to her jaw Outcast sheto be Ender's friend, no ht as well make friends with Petra